Small
West Region Government Relations Officer and Vice President
HNTB Corporation
Charles Small, a veteran infrastructure leader, has joined HNTB Corporation as West Region government relations officer and vice president. He will assist with the development and implementation of the firm’s government relations strategies in the Western U.S., as well the implementation of national initiatives related to state and local governments and elected officials.
“With his extensive experience working with federal, state and local government officials and agencies, Charles will be a valuable addition to our growing government relations team,” said Michelle Dippel, HNTB Western U.S. president and executive vice president. “His deep understanding of government policies and regulations will be instrumental in helping us navigate the complex landscape of government affairs, and I am confident that his contributions will be invaluable to our team and to our clients.”
Prior to joining HNTB, Small was appointed by President Biden as deputy assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs to Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation, where he served for two and a half years. While in the administration, he oversaw the department’s outreach efforts to all 56 states, commonwealth and territorial governments and the District of Columbia; all roughly 3,000 counties and parishes; and 19,000 cities, towns and townships. This outreach played a critical role in working with Congress to pass the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Over the last 18 months, Small worked on efforts to implement the IIJA and help guide state and local governments through the application and grant making process.
Before joining the Biden administration, Small also served as director of federal affairs and national engagement for former mayor of Los Angeles, Ambassador Eric Garcetti. There he spearheaded the city’s federal relationships and led the USDOT advocacy efforts with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles World Airports, the Port of Los Angeles and more. Small also served as associate director of federal affairs for the State of New York and in the Obama Administration at the Office of the United States Trade Representative. As a native of Southern California, he began his political career with Sen. Barbara Boxer.
Small is on the board of the California State Society and a former member of the National League of Cities Infrastructure and Transportation Services Committee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania.
